Or, exploit it.
A statement yesterday from Representative Vicky Hartzler (r):
Hartzler on Syrian Refugees
Nov 18, 2015
[….]
We are a compassionate nation and are sympathetic to the plight of those trying to escape terror in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East. However, until we can fully guarantee the safety of our citizens here at home, I cannot support continuing to freely accept refugees from unstable and war-torn countries. We must act quickly to ensure American lives are protected. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Tomorrow the House is slated to vote on the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015, which I am co-sponsoring.
The bill prevents admission to the United States of any proposed Syrian or Iraqi refugee, or any proposed refugee present in Iraq or Syria at any time on or after March 1st, 2011, until the nation’s top security officials—the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the FBI, and the Director of National Intelligence— unanimously certify that the individual does not represent a security threat.
[…]
Let’s parse this, shall we?
“…until we can fully guarantee the safety of our citizens here at home…”
Think about that for a minute.
“…I cannot support continuing to freely accept refugees from unstable and war-torn countries…”
Uh, because people in stable and peaceful countries…?
“…until the nation’s top security officials—the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the FBI, and the Director of National Intelligence— unanimously certify that the individual does not represent a security threat…”
Personally? Just asking.
From the White House:
[….]
• Refugees are subject to the highest level of security checks of any category of traveler to the United States, including the involvement of the National Counterterrorism Center, the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, and the Department of Defense.
• All refugees, including Syrians, are admitted only after successful completion of this stringent security screening regime, which includes all available biographic and biometric information vetted against a broad array of law enforcement and intelligence community databases to confirm identity and ensure safety.
• This screening process has been enhanced over the last few years to ensure we are effectively utilizing the full scope of our intelligence community to review each applicant.
• Mindful of the particular conditions of the Syria crisis, Syrian refugees go through additional forms of security screening. We continue to examine options for further enhancements for screening Syrian refugees, the details of which are classified.
[….]
Asked and answered.
A few of the responses via Twitter:
B Yates @OldDrum
@RepHartzler Does your concern about safety of all Americans extend to terrorists buying guns in US? What vetting for gun buyers? 2:53 PM – 18 Nov 2015
Well, there is that state representative in Texas who doesn’t want Syrian refugees in his state because it’s too easy for them to buy guns in Texas. Apparently he expressed this without any sense of the irony involved.
Fake Vicky Hartzler @VickiHartzler
@RepHartzler Kill them all and let @almightygod sort them out! 3:18 PM – 18 Nov 2015
That is from a usually ascerbic and sarcastic parody account. In case you were wondering.
And:
Jalal El-Jayyousi @JUC_jalal
.@RepHartzler your thoughts are as far from compassionate as can be. They’re shameful, un-American, xenophobic, and exactly what ISIS wants 8:15 PM – 18 Nov 2015
That about sums it up.
![Gordon Christensen (D) [2015 file photo].](https://i0.wp.com/showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/img_9524x6.jpg?ssl=1)
![Peter Kinder (r) [2013 file photo]](https://i0.wp.com/showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/img_1565xa1b2h8.jpg?ssl=1)